Kelley Blue Book is now specifying Quaker State oils in all its long-term test vehicles in the US; re-refined oils make a quick appearance in Canada.
Equivalent to the UK's "CAP Black Book" or Glass' Guide, Kelley Blue Book has provided new and used car information in the US for the last 87 years. Its decision to specify a motor oil - in this case Quaker State - is an historic move for the company.
With the average search age of a vehicle on the Kelley Blue Book website ranging from three to five years, US consumers are clearly choosing to keep their cars for longer, bringing the need to maintain their value comes into sharper focus.
Quaker State - part of the Shell lubes portfolio - will provide technical experts to cover the topic of fuel economy in a joint informational video with Kelley Blue Book.
Meanwhile National Oil & Lube News’ (NOLN) first survey of Canada’s fast lube operators has revealed that oil drain intervals are now averaging more than 7,000 km (nearly 4,400 miles with average sales per store at more than C$1 million (US $974,000 with an average ticket total of nearly C$90. Around 63% of Canadian fast lubes’ gross annual sales consisted solely of oil changes.
The average price for a basic lube, oil and filter change – offered by 82% of operators – was C$48.30. All quick lubes surveyed offered a premium, synthetic lube, oil and filter change, at an average price of C$86. Use of re-refined or “green” lubes, brought the price down by two Dollars, a service offered by nearly 20% of those surveyed.
According to the survey, the top selling motor oil, with a 40% percent share of the market, is Pennzoil, followed by Valvoline (20%) and Petro-Canada and Castrol - each with 13%.